Latest news with #PoolA
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
England v Australia: Teams and latest updates from World U20 Championship
'We were disappointed in how the last game transpired against South Africa, as we left many opportunities out there. With that said, our leadership group have rallied to refocus our players' efforts over the last three days. The squad's ownership to recognise there are big improvements to be made has been vital, as well as impressive. The squad have raised our performance levels in training and put an emphasis on refining our efficiency in the opposing 22 against what will be another strong challenge in Australia. 'A lot of these lads will go back to the Premiership, where if you lose a game, you have got to dust yourself off and get ready for the next one, and we have had that this week. Obviously, there is a bit of a shorter turnaround, and there is a bit of pressure to go and get five points. I know if these boys go and put our game on the pitch against anyone, they are capable of getting four-plus tries and five points. If they do that on Wednesday, it hopefully puts us in a great position to go into a semi-final if other things go our way.' Australia were thrashed 17-73 in the opening game by South Africa but bounced back with a 34-24 win over Scotland. They, like England, are in a similar position heading into the final group game, hoping for a favour or two. These sides met at the World Rugby U20 Championship in July 2023, with the game ending in a 22-22 draw. In the other game in Pool A, South Africa are taking on Scotland. Kick-off from Verona is at 5pm BST.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Day 2 of Calgary Stampede Rodeo: Early calendar start makes for tough travel decisions
Part cowboy. Part travel agent. Article content That's how Kyle Irwin describes his job on the rodeo circuit. Article content Right around the annual start of the Calgary Stampede, both gigs kick into high gear for himself and the other rodeo stars of the world. Article content Because not only is there $50,000-plus to be won here, but there's gobs of cash to be earned during the Fourth of July week in the United States. Article content Article content 'Cowboy Christmas' it's called. Article content Article content And with that potential windfall come major decisions on which show to go to and how to get there. Article content 'I tell people we're more travel agents than cowboys,' said Irwin, one of the planet's top steer-wrestling talents. 'I can get somewhere now. I'm telling you … I can get somewhere.' Article content That's a tremendous trait to have this time of the rodeo calendar. Article content And it's even moreso important this year with the Stampede having started earlier than most years — that being right on Independence Day. Article content Indeed, while many rodeos were whooping it up down south on the patriotic American holiday, the Stampede's opening round went Friday for Irwin and the other Pool A participants, which dramatically changes the travel plans this year. Article content Article content 'We went to four rodeos over the Fourth this year,' said Irwin, of the last week that's seen him drive — relentlessly — to shows in Prescott, Ariz., Oakley City, Utah, St. Paul, Ore., and Basin City, Wash., before flying from Pasco, Wash., through Seattle to Calgary on Thursday morning. Article content Article content 'Normally, we're going to 10 or 12 rodeos at this time of year,' continued Irwin. 'So you cut it short by coming up here this year. And back in the States, the guys that didn't get to come here are winning and catching you in the (world) standings. So that was a decision you had to make. Article content 'But when you're going up against 10 guys that pay six holes and $7,000 for the win, the odds are better here.' Article content Indeed, the Stampede's quality money certainly has its draw.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
RODEO NOTES, Day 2: Bull-rider JR Stratford collects all the cash
Article content Barrel racer Anita Ellis is also feeling the love of the Stampede, because she, too, has already clinched a spot on this year's Championship Sunday roster. Article content For the second straight day Saturday, Idaho's Ellis was the only cowgirl to run the cloverleaf in under 17 seconds. Article content Of course, that made the Stampede rookie a go-round winner on consecutive days to give her $14,000 and the coveted early advancement to the final day next week. Article content 'I feel like I can just relax now and have a good time — like let the nerves settle a little bit and just have a great time here,' Ellis said. 'It changes my mindset a little bit. I might run my colt that's a little less experienced (Sunday) … give him a chance to be in front of a big crowd and see how that goes.' Article content It's been nine-year-old Axe getting her around the track — first, in 16.89 seconds, and then, in 16.96s — for the two respective victories Friday and Saturday. Article content Article content 'Axe had surgery on his spine (last year) just to give him another chance, because he's such a talented, awesome horse,' said Ellis, who earned her spot for 2025 through the Calgary qualifier in June. 'Axe came back a little slow … but towards the end of the year, he was coming back to himself. Article content Article content A few other rodeo stars are on the cusp of Championship Sunday, with little in the way on Day 3 of keeping them from advancing to next week's final. Bareback artist Cole Franks won Saturday's go-round with 90 points on Bucking Knight to give him $12,500 through two shows. Tie-down roper and fellow Texan John Douch won Day 2 with a 7.2-second run to net him $12,000 heading into Sunday. And Scott Guenthner of Provost, Alta., posted a 3.8-second time in Saturday's steer wrestling to push him to $12,500 … It's a battle in saddle bronc after Kansas bull-dogger Weston Patterson rode Hotel Acres to Saturday's win with an 88.5-point score. Wyoming's Brody Cress, with $11,500, and California's Lefty Holman, with $11,000, are just ahead of Patterson, with $10,250, but the trio is not yet clear of the field heading into the third-and-final day of Pool A competition … In breakaway roping, it was Oklahoma's Taylor Munsell with a swift 2.6-second run to capture the Day 2 top prize. Stay tuned for a wild finish in the new event Sunday … Clay Greenslade, of Strathmore, Alta., earned the highest mark of novice bareback so far with his 85-point ride aboard Harry Money on Saturday. But Texan talent Kash Loyd leads the event with 162.5 total points with just Sunday's show left to crown a champ … Day 3 of the rodeo goes Sunday at GMC Stadium (1:30 p.m.), marking the final day of Pool A competition.
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Bull rider Jared Parsonage chases more Stampede glory during the day, Bullbustin' prize at night
When Jared Parsonage emerged as the top bull rider at the Calgary Stampede rodeo in 2023, he proclaimed that the third time was a charm. Article content Having finished second in 2019 and third in 2022, Parsonage had extra motivation to finally capture the $50,000 prize and championship bronze statue. Article content Article content Now, he's on the hunt for more as one of 10 bull riders competing in Pool A from Friday to Saturday looking to lock down one of three spots in Championship Sunday on July 13. Article content 'It's a cool place,' said the 32-year-old thrill-seeker from Maple Creek, Sask., of competing in the GMC Stadium infield at the Stampede. 'As a Canadian rodeo cowboy, I think it's special to all of us. We all want to do well … and it's always fun when it goes good.' Article content Article content Going up against the likes of Hayes Weight, who's coming off a Showdown Round win at the Ponoka Stampede on Canada Day, doesn't phase Parsonage, who always seems to be as cool as a cucumber when going about his job. Article content 'It's going to be no different than it ever is,' Parsonage said. 'You ride your bulls and if do a good job of riding your bulls, you'll be back in the finals. The name of the game is to ride bulls and if you do that, you'll give yourself a chance.' Article content After winning a bit of money — but not enough for his liking — at both the Ponoka Stampede and the Wild West PBR (a Professional Bull Riders event in Ponoka on June 28), Parsonage will be doing double duty again in Calgary this weekend. Article content Article content Shortly after Friday's rodeo, Parsonage will make the short jaunt to the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino on Tsuutʼina Nation for the fourth night of 2025 Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin' action. Article content 'I'll go to Calgary during the day and come back here at nights,' said Parsonage after being bucked off Lost Creek just shy of the eight-second mark during Wednesday's Bullbustin' performance. 'It's only one bull here at night and one bull there. If you draw a good, it's worth it. There's lots of money here. Obviously, lots of money at Calgary. You're out here and you're riding bulls, so you might as ride bulls.' Article content Unfortunately for Parsonage, his Bullbustin' experience at the five-night extravaganza — which will wrap up on Saturday — hasn't been great so far. He's been bucked off all three nights, including on Thursday when his bovine counterpart, Kraken, got the best of him.
The South African
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
England star banned ahead of Junior Bok clash at U20 World Champs
England's title defence at the World Rugby U20 Championship faces an early challenge, with suspension news compounding pressure ahead of their toughest pool match yet. After easing past Scotland in their opener, the young Red Roses now prepare for a bruising battle against South Africa – without one of their key forwards. This is after World Rugby handed loose forward George Timmins a five-match ban for foul play. The Bath back-rower was cited for striking Scotland's Ollie Blyth-Lafferty with his elbow during Sunday's U20 Champions Pool A match in Verona. The blow left the Scottish prop needing stitches, and Timmins' suspension effectively rules him out for the rest of the tournament. The ban also affects his availability for Bath's early pre-season clash against Glasgow Warriors in September. Timmins' absence forces England into a back-row reshuffle just days before their biggest test so far. Head coach Mark Mapletoft now faces selection headaches against a resurgent Junior Springbok pack full of confidence and physicality. Despite playing much of the second half a man down, England cruised past Scotland 56–19 with pace and precision out wide. But the Junior Springboks, who ran in 11 tries during their 73–17 demolition of Australia's U20 side, pose a far more serious threat to England's title defence. The Junior Boks dominated the breakdown and punished turnovers ruthlessly, showing a clinical edge England must match. The fixture, set for 6pm on Friday, 4 July in Verona, could decide who tops Pool A and earns a favourable quarter-final draw. England captain Tom Burrow has praised South Africa's firepower and insists his team will have to tighten up to match their intensity. WHICH SIDE – BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE JUNIOR BOKS – WILL WIN THEIR U20 CLASH? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
